How do I make registering less overwhelming for DH?

I have no idea how this is all going to work but my mother has hinted to me that she might be throwing me a shower - it's slightly complicated because I live in London and there's just a limit to what I can and can't bring/ship/send back with me. Anyway, I'm of the mindset that a baby doesn't really need everything they tell you it does (I'm thinking multiple swings, bouncers, etc) but I think most people in the US get and/or have available to them more baby products than those in the UK. I'm going home for a visit in March and it will be the only opportunity I really have to start a registry, but DH won't be coming with me. I've already told him that I'd like to go to the BRU/BBB equivalent over here a week or so before I go to the states in order to do a bit of comparison shopping. He's up for that, but I think he's just going to be overwhelmed. I think he thinks it's all about the stroller and really has no idea about high chairs, bouncers, changing tables, etc.

So, was your DH overwhelmed by the process? I had the same issue with my bridal shower and registry in that I was trying to keep things to a minimum because I knew we'd have to ship stuff and my mother kept complaining that there wasn't enough things on it! I usually get pulled in two different directions in these situations and it's when I find it the hardest to blend the two cultures!

Re: How do I make registering less overwhelming for DH?

I wouldn't register now, I would have the shower and ask for small things that you can bring back with you, clothes maybe, small items, and just ask nicely for cash for the big things that you can buy in the UK. With the exchange rate being so poor, you won't even spend less money in the states. No offence to anyone, but people in the UK don't go as crazy with baby stuff as people in the states do, also, if you are in a small house, you won't have room for everything!!! Just ask your mother to let your relatives/friends know that what you will really need is some money to buy everything, but maybe she could do it in a fun way...

I don't know, but as someone in the same situation as you, I wouldn't register in the states, its going to be too difficult to return things if they don't work etc. You can get a lot of the same things here in the UK, for example, Argos carries the Papasan Chair, Fisher Price Aquarium...its the same stuff.

Re: How do I make registering less overwhelming for DH?

i would do a little at a time if i were you. that is what we did. we concentrated on specfic things with each visit. we went about 5 times to fully register.

GOOD LUCK!

Re: How do I make registering less overwhelming for DH?

Re: How do I make registering less overwhelming for DH?

I did the research, narrowed our choices to 3 for each 'big' item and then involved DH from there -
He came for the stroller, carseats, pack n play etc etc -
Everything else, I did online

Re: How do I make registering less overwhelming for DH?

DH really couldn't care less which play mat, bouncer, pack n play, high chair, etc. we registered for. At first I felt a bit hurt but I think our gender roles are becoming more defined. DH did pay attention when picking out safety gear, stroller, crib, etc. As our child grows older, I highly doubt DH will be coming with me to buy kitchen products, socks, swimming suits, etc. I'll just have free reign and be able to buy whatever I want and he won't care.

Re: How do I make registering less overwhelming for DH?

I left DH out of the process and he was more than happy to be! He helped pick out a couple of fun things and ther rest I had my sister help me with. I did a lot of it on-line.

Re: How do I make registering less overwhelming for DH?

I did alllllllllllll the research and narrowed every category down to 2 or 3 that I'd be happy with. When we got to the store, I showed him the 2 or 3 and let him have his say (if he cared to). I also didn't bug him with the sheets, etc - he mainly was part of the big stuff.

Re: How do I make registering less overwhelming for DH?

I'm completely overwhelmed just THINKING about it so I have no advice and hope my DH will be his usual self and be the researcher!!!

Re: How do I make registering less overwhelming for DH?

Re: How do I make registering less overwhelming for DH?

Message edited 2/10/2009 3:46:02 PM.

Re: How do I make registering less overwhelming for DH?

My DH does not do well in those situations where a lot of new things are thrown at him at once because he's the type that needs to research the heck out of something before making a decision. When we registered for DS#1, I went with my MIL and SIL and then left the big things (stroller, carseat, crib, etc) for DH and I to do together when he was ready.

With this one, I wasn't going to register but a few friends/family have asked what we need so we'll do something very small at BRU or BBB.

Re: How do I make registering less overwhelming for DH?

I did most of it on line and then we went into the store this past weekend and we just went thru a few things and I had him test out strollers and input on car seat colors and how it feels

Re: How do I make registering less overwhelming for DH?

I most likely will not be going with my DH. Is that an option for you? Maybe you can go with an experienced relative or friend in the UK. My DH also did not go for our wedding but checked it out online after and weighed in on my choices then. And that's pretty much how this will work. He has no idea what we'd need anyway and I will have a nice time with my sisters who will help me breeze through it! Sure, he'll come at some point but for the initial bulk of it... he's staying home.

Re: How do I make registering less overwhelming for DH?

I registered for the boring things and then made a list of 10 things that we could pick together. We are going to register for those things in a couple weeks.

Re: How do I make registering less overwhelming for DH?

When you figure out what would make registering less overwhelming for your DH let me know because I found the whole thing overwhelming!

I would not bring my DH registering if you paid me. I would have his attention for about 20 minutes and then he would want to leave. I gave him two choices on the crib & such and two choices on the bedding and that was about it.

But like another poster here said - I am the organized researcher. He totally trusts me...

Re: How do I make registering less overwhelming for DH?

Let him stay home...lol. I took my mom...he would have just agreed to anything to get out of the store anyway.

Re: How do I make registering less overwhelming for DH?

for 99% of the items on our registry - I chose them. I am a research FIEND...seriously...i read reviews, ask my mommy friends, ask people i see out and about, etc... Dave knows he can trust my opinion, though if i'm torn on something - i'll give him let's say 4 options and ask him to pick 1...(much like i did for our wedding)...

For that 1% - it was the stroller, carseat, anything we'd be using to travel or get around & the bedding...

For that - i wanted his input, to see if he liked the way things folded, how heavy things were, etc...as he'd likely be the one doing all the heavy lifting... For those few things - i did find him very opinionated...and for those things - we went into the stores and folded, lifted, walked around with, etc...

Re: How do I make registering less overwhelming for DH?

When I gave DH the little gun thingy to scan the items he was happy as a kid in a candy store. I say give him the gun thingy & you'll be fine.